Did you know that BT is set to switch off traditional telephony (PSTN) by the end of 2025?
As part of a huge shakeup for homes and businesses across the UK, everyone is expected to move from the copper wiring of old over to data-based communications within the next two years.
That sounds like a long way away – but if you’re not already thinking about moving your business over to the VoIP systems UK customers demand of you, now is a great time to start.
What is VoIP?
VoIP refers to voice over internet protocol, which refers to voice and video communications that occur via data connection.
While previously, we’ve all relied on traditional telephone systems and cabling to connect to each other, these standards have fast become outdated.
There’s little doubt that telephone communications are still great for boosting conversion rates and helping customers. However, VoIP is proving to be faster, more cost-effective, and more reliable for small, medium, and large businesses alike.
The VoIP revolution likely won’t impact too many people at home, but if your business is still reliant on traditional telephone comms, you’ll have a rude awakening by December 2025 if you don’t switch.
VoIP vs PSTN: What are the benefits?
As we move towards a wholly digital or online future, it’s easy to see why old-school technology is phasing out. That said, there may be a few benefits to leaping into VoIP that you may not have considered.
Beyond the fact your traditional comms will stop working as of the end of 2025, here are some key ‘pros’ you’ll want to keep in mind.
There’s less chance of conversation breakdown
How often have you accidentally dropped calls with customers because of poor weather in your area? What about when BT Openreach have needed to mend local line problems or when customers live in rural locations?
VoIP strives to reduce call dropping and poor-quality communication to absolute zero. That means you can expect clearer, more stable calls that you’ll always hear the end of.
For businesses, that means you can complete more calls, more often, and thus expect greater conversion numbers. For customers, it means less frustration at having to keep calling back or finding a rival firm with a reliable telephone system.
It’s easy to integrate with third-party services
While there are several ways to host conference calls through PSTN, VoIP opens up many possibilities. Some VoIP providers, for example, allow you to call and receive directly through smart CRM systems, meaning agents can manage client accounts through one simple portal.
VoIP, as it’s based entirely online, is highly flexible with a range of different suites, services, and SIPP options. This means you’re able to build an all-singing, all-dancing client communications hub that your team will always find easy to manage.
The downside of using traditional telephony is that you’ll still have to keep jumping from program to program, which can get confusing and frustrating very quickly. Take your hands off the wheel a little and consolidate your comms!
Costs are low and easy to consolidate
One of the biggest drawbacks of PSTN is the dreaded line rental charge. With VoIP, this goes away completely – and with many providers, you’ll be able to pay for flexible packages based on your team’s size and your ongoing needs.
For example, Planet Numbers – one of the fastest-growing providers of VoIP phone systems UK-wide – starts packages from £9.99 per month. Within this rate, users pay for 500 minutes of calls and have access to multiple features. The more you pay per month, the more minutes and features you receive.
This package-style subscription service is increasingly popular with business owners and follows a similar setup to entertainment packages millions are used to at home. Ultimately, VoIP costs consolidate into monthly and yearly rates that are easier to see value in than, say, the standard line rental fees of old.
VoIP is built with scalability in mind
While adding and removing users or agents through traditional telephony is possible, VoIP models allow you to scale hardware and software as your company grows.
For example, adding new VoIP headsets and desk controls is easy without tampering with any connections. A simple VoIP setup allows you to customise various features and facets as your company evolves.
What’s more, VoIP immediately prepares you for hybrid and remote working. With a huge boom in working from home having spread up and down the UK since the earliest days of lockdown, businesses can provide employees with access to their VoIP networks even working away from HQ.
Ultimately, VoIP provides business owners and their workers with greater flexibility, ready to evolve alongside the needs of a company and its client base. PSTN can only be so flexible!
Why switch to VoIP now?
Many business owners are taking the maverick option of waiting until the very last minute to switch from PSTN to VoIP. Switching over in December 2025 isn’t the wisest move for a handful of reasons.
Firstly, business operators should allow time for their team to get used to a whole new communications system. What’s more, if they’re bringing on board different communication features and integrating third-party features, you have all the more reason to prepare them ahead of time.
Lastly, don’t just assume that VoIP will flick on like a light switch. While setting up even the most complex of VoIP phone systems UK businesses thrive on is usually swift and painless, there’s still the possibility that you’ll need extra care and support along the way.
What’s more, setting up VoIP now puts you ahead of any competitors left who are still to switch. Why leave moving across until the last minute?
VoIP is certainly the future of business communications across the UK and beyond. That said, you should take action now to join the revolution before it’s too late.
